Marauders end season with semi-final showing

THE Wooden Spoon Marauders brought the curtain down on their latest sevens season with a semi-final exit at the National Pub 7s at Harpenden RFC.

A strong men’s team featuring established older hands alongside an exciting group of younger players, many from Fiji, ran in seven converted tries as they thrashed Thamesian 7s 49-12 in their opening pool match.

A 35-0 success in the second pool match set up a cup quarter final against Tropics 7s, with the Marauders proving far too strong for their opponents in a 34-0 win.

The team progressed to the semi-final stage to play Sherrards Assassins and started the game brightly with a well-taken try from Josh Lewantuwa. The Marauders led by two points at half-time, but an evenly-matched second half was finally edged by the Assassins who claimed a 24-21 victory in the game’s closing seconds.

Coach Keith Boatman singled out Howard Graham and Bunny Burenivalu for the guidance they provided to some of the team’s younger players and praised Simon Pitsfield for using his height and speed to great effect.

Sam Gilham played almost every minute at scrum half, while new winger Simione Bituwaqa impressed with his tireless running.

Keith added: “The star of the day by a long way was Josh Lewantuwa, who racked up the tries and proved to be equally adept at playing at prop or as a winger.

“We now all look forward to setting up the 2018 sevens season to enjoy further success and grow and develop even more exciting players!”

Wooden Spoon’s thanks go to the Marauders’ main sponsor Securitas UK and kit provider O’Neills, as well as Bite Consulting Ltd and Nirvana Spa.

Wooden Spoon Marauders squad: Simon Pitfield; Diggy Forshaw; Timoci Waqadau; Kameli Kameli; Howard Graham; Chris Rose; Bunny Bun; Simione Bituwaqa; Josh Lewantuva; Jone Turaganivalu Nabetelevu; Vilikesa Wara; Sam Gilham.

To find out more about the Wooden Spoon Marauders, click here.